Jacinda Ardern accused of treating politics ‘as a game’ after post emerges of her calling for housing as human right – Newshub

The post has been widely criticised by social media users and was questioned by ACT leader David Seymour.

"Imagine if Jacinda Ardern became the Prime Minister and had the chance to fix all of those problems... oh wait," he said.

"That's why in Opposition ACT proposes practical policies instead of merely posturing."

A spokesperson from Auckland Action Against Poverty (AAAP) said the post from "2016 Jacinda" was "great" but believes Ardern's comments "reflect this very superficial and dangerous sentiment of politics being practised as a 'game'".

"We often hear people talk about politics in this way - to 'play the game' in order to get into power and now that Jacinda Ardern is the Prime Minister with a majority Labour government we'd like to ask where's this same energy from 2016?"

They said the current Labour government has the capacity to treat housing as a human right and urged them to take action.

"Choosing not to perpetuate the notion it's ok to do politics in this way - to treat it as a game in saying whatever's required in competing for power and then continuing to perpetuate existing colonial ideologies that shape our policies when they get it.

"How about we introduce a new way of practising politics - to stay true to what you say. As Jacinda herself says to treat the cause (of all our societal ills), not the symptom?"

When asked if Ardern still stands by the comments, a spokesperson for the Prime Minister said the post "was made when she was in opposition".

"The current manifesto commitment to continue the welfare overhaul is addressing the issues that the Facebook post is seeking to identify.

"In regards to your question around the housing crisis - the Prime Minister has previously said: 'I don't mind what label you put on it. A crisis is a crisis'."

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Jacinda Ardern accused of treating politics 'as a game' after post emerges of her calling for housing as human right - Newshub